GERO6020 Ageing, Health and Well-being

Module Overview

Students will be introduced to key issues and literature concerning the current structure and workings of the welfare state, focusing on the health and social care for older people.

Module Details

Semester:

Semester 2

CATS points:

20

ECTS points:

10

Level:

Level 7

Module Lead:

Jane Parry

Aims and Objectives

Module Aims

To provide students with a foundation of knowledge in the area of social policy, health and well-being in later life. Students will be introduced to key issues and literature concerning the current
structure and workings of the welfare state, focusing on the health and social care for older people. They will become familiar with the debates and literature on inequalities in health and the use of health care services in later life; the mixed economy of social care and the role of different providers (state, family, voluntary, private); different models of residential care; needs assessment; and partnership working. The module will examine the relative importance of different factors in the quality of life of older people and how policy can influence these.

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Written communication skills through the preparation of assessed coursework.

Oral presentation skills through the preparation of the assessed presentation

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Understand the links between the ageing process and health status, and the health
implications of ageing for older people and their carers.

Evaluate critically the factors affecting the health and social care of older people

Understand and evaluate major national initiatives in social policy for older people; in particular,
assess the effectiveness of health and social care policies and initiatives for the quality of life of
older people

Syllabus

The module will include: the contemporary British welfare state focusing on the organisation, finance and delivery of health care and social care; social policy, older people and quality of life; health and well-being in later life; healthy active ageing; inequalities in health and use of health care services; different models of residential care; mixed economy of social care and the role of different providers (state, family, voluntary, private); needs assessment; partnership working; informal carers and worklife
balance; the future prospects of long-term care in Britain and the developed world.

Special Features

One or two outside experts are invited to give guest sessions on particular topics; for example, an academic from other universities researching a particular topic, an international author, a policy
analyst, or a senior manager in local government or in the third sector.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module involves lectures and guest lectures from different disciplines. The lectures revolve around the themes of measuring and comparing health, and policy climates of health and social care. Learning activities include lectures, informal group discussions and independent study. Students are expected to carry out some reading in advance of each session, in order to be able to participate in discussions.
Expectations for the module: It is expected that students will attend all lectures weekly. In addition students should aim to read 2-3 of the recommended readings (key readings are marked with a star *) for each lecture, and participate in the Discussion Board as directed by the convenors. Following this guidance will improve subject knowledge, enhance ability to write well-argued and well-evidenced assignments, and facilitate achieving higher grades.
Module communication: Students are welcome to contact module convenors and lecturers by Discussion Board on Blackboard, in addition to by email.
A Discussion Board is made available on Blackboard. Students can post general questions in the Q&A folder in the Discussion Board. Module convenors will post answers via Discussion Board in order to ensure that all students receive the same level of information regarding to the module. Students should subscribe to the Discussion Board and check Blackboard regularly so that the most updated information is not missed. For any questions concerning privacy, students should always send emails to module convenors. Timely module information is also posted in the announcements section, and emailed to students.
The Discussion Board may also be used to post links to articles and other media items that relate to the lectures, and we also would encourage you to feel free to post about items that you would like to share with your student cohort.

Type

Hours

Teaching

24

Independent Study

176

Total study time

200

Resources & Reading list

Walker, A and Hagan Hennessy, C (2004). Growing Older: Quality of Life in Old Age.

Baldock, J. Manning, N. Vickerstaff, S. (2007). Social Policy..

Alcock, P, Erskine, A and May, M (2008). The Student’s Companion to Social Policy.

Module resources available on BlackBoard include lecture PowerPoint slides, seminar readings,
coursework details, exercises, references and module updates. In addition, resources also include
specially ordered texts located in the University library, copi.

Glasby, J. (2012). Understanding Health and Social Care.

Assessment

Assessment Strategy

Assessment feedback on written work is given in written and verbal formats. Formative methods of assessment are used throughout the module in providing students with ongoing feedback on their progress and understanding through group discussions, and question and answer sessions. Summative assessments are also used, focussing on specific evidence of students’ knowledge and practice, in module essays and presentations. These are designed to assess the module learning outcomes.

Summative

Method

Percentage contribution

Essay
(3000 words)

60%

Presentation
(20 minutes)

40%

Referral

Method

Percentage contribution

Essay
( words)

100%

Costs

Costs associated with this module

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.

In addition to this, students registered for this module typically also have to pay for:

Other

Stationery: You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.
Textbooks: Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source. Please note that the vast majority of readings in Gerontology are available electronically through e-journals, as digitised text in the Online Course Collection or as e-books. Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.
Software Licenses: Licenses relating to software used in the programme (eg. SPSS, NVivo) are purchased by the University, and students can download them from the iSolutions website using their username and password.
Hardware: Students have access to workstations in the Hartley Library and in Computer rooms around the campus. Students may wish to purchase their own laptop/PC/tablet.
Printing and Photocopying Costs: For all GERO modules, coursework (such as essays; projects; dissertations) is submitted on line. However, for some modules outside Gerontology, there are some items where students will be asked to provide a printed copy. A list of the University printing costs can be found here: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/services/follow_me_print_for_students/faq.php#594 .
Conference expenses: Where students wish to attend a scientific conference during their studies, they are liable for any accommodation cost associated (as well as conference registration fees). Travel: Where students wish to attend a scientific conference during their studies, they are liable for any travel cost associated. If students incur any travel costs associated with conducting their dissertation research, they are expected to bear the cost of this themselves.
Parking Costs: For students not residing in Southampton, paid parking is available on the University campus. Maps of the campuses can be downloaded from here: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/about/visit/getting-to-southampton.page#by_car

Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.